Cigarette and cigar tray clasp



Aug. 16, 1949.

G. -J KAMPHAUs CIGARETTE AND CIGAR TRAY CLASP Filed Oct. 15, 1947 Patented Aug. 16, 1949 N emma CIGARETTE'AND croira. TRAY CLASP' Gearg'e Jftl'mmpihlua Indianapolis'alnd. amli'cationzomeer r3, ismserilgu..1f/9:43a

in addition to retaining all the-advantages off' prior art devices;1tmpravidefforfoneahand opera.- tion of the clamp device and by article (cigar and cigarette) contact.

'Ihev'chiff-feature' of' thepresentfinvention-re= sides in providingfasfloatinggjawv and associating therewith, a pivoted jaw, the latter being pivotedY on tlreffrmer and fulcrtt'rniirgv uppn a base'fby;A

of whichthe-formerris-srrpported by: the

Essentially the operative association is of overcenter or toggle type.

Other objects and features of the invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan View of an ash tray provided with a conventionally grooved rest. a vertical disposed clamp and a horizontally disposed clamp, the clamps each embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the vertically disposed clamp device, parts of the tray being shown in section, the article being indicated by dotted lines and with parts shown in initial position to effect clamping.

Fig. 3 is a similar View of the same parts with the article in clamped position.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the clamp device and is taken at right angles to Figs. 2 and 3.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings I0 indicates the bowl of an ash tray having rim II and to which may be secured a U-shaped support l2, a vertically disposed embodiment of the invention I3 and an overhanging arm I5 which may also support a horizontally disposed embodiment of the invention I8.

Reference will now be had to Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The rim I I is slotted as at I 'I and apertured as at I8. A bolt I9, or rivet seated in the latter rigidly secures arm to the rim. This arm is integral with a U-shaped base member having mid-portion 2| and side walls 22. The latter is cut away at 23 to provide tongue 24 disposed between the Walls 22. Portions 2|, 22 and 24 serve as a spring trap and retainer for a coil spring 25, hereinafter the term base designates broadly member 20, portion 2I and sides 22.

The upper ends of side Walls 22 are notched as at 26 to form a seat upon which rests the tail portion 21 of a clamping jaw 28. The lower ends 11! Claims: (Cl.r 2li-25291* memberrhavmg midiportionsafandsidewaflls- The bottom 3I is an` extension of midi-portion 2 and includes antupturnederrdl. 'I'Iziespring '25, whicrifaeitsfupper endfbearszupormonguel-z andi isl retaireclliyjl lip* 23a theroffatfit'sdowerf' endif bears uponl'tlie -b'crtt'om*portionA 3 l between slots Sebftlieflatingiaw structure.; f

Tli'eilcatlngf'u stiuctureiterminates* jawfpor" tion 35 and the upper inturredi endsefoffsidi- Walls 33 form an article rest as shown. The jaw 28 includes spaced ears 31 and pin 38 or the like is anchored in and to the side walls 33.

The resulting structure is such that While spring 25 normally tends to draw down the floating jaw structure, same is limited by the pivoted jaw bearing upon seats 26 for that jaw is pivoted to the floating jaw. The arrangement is further characterized by the fact that when the pivoted jaw is tilted counterclockwise, compare Figs. 3 and 2, the entire structure similarly tilts and the jaws open. Such movement is limited by jaw 28 contacting the adjacent e-nd of rim slot I'I.

When article clamping is desired, it is disposed between the open jaws and jaw 35 is moved clockwise from Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 position, which effects article clamping. This movement is limited by jaw 32-35 engaging the opposite end of rim slot I1. Note further that as the floating jaw structure is so moved pivot 38 elevates since the pivoted jaw 28 fulcrums at seats 26.

Thus the operation is one hand operable for clamping and releasing. The action essentially is of toggle or over-center type.

In the lateral arm supported form designated by numeral I6 in Fig. l the jaw movements are up and down to effect release and clamping respectively.

While the invention has been described in great detail in the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein as well as others which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a holder for cigars, cigarettes and similar articles having a pair of confronting article clamping and releasing jaws, the combination of a pivotal connection between said jaws, each having an extension extending oppositely from the jaw beyond the pivotal connection, a seat upon which one jaw extension fulcrurns, a base operatively associated with the other jaw, spring means operatively interposed between the seat and said other jaw, and stops limiting the extent of oscillatory movement of the jaws.

2. A holder as dened by claim 1 wherein the spring means is of compression type and the pivotal connection between jaws passes over-center with respect to said seat in the oscillatory movement of said jaws.

3. A holder as dened by claim 2 wherein the said other jaw extension is substantially U -shaped in cross-section and the base is substantially U- shaped in cross-section, the said sectioned ex- 7. A holder as defined by claim 6 wherein the said other jaw includes an integral article support portion.

8. In a holder for cigars, cigarettes and like articles having a pair of confronting jaws, the combination of a, connection therebetween for disposing the jaws in article receiving released position and article clamping position, a constraining medium for yieldingly maintaining the jaws in either Voi the two positions, and a iloating support for one ofthe'jaws, the jaws being article mova- 4 ble to either position.

tension and base having confronting interiitting association with the spring means nested therebetween.

4. A holder as defined by claim 1 wherein side portions of the base incorporate said seat.

5. A holder as dened by claim 4 wherein the.

9. A holder as dened by claim 8 wherein one .of the jaws includes an article support portion.

10. A holder as defined by claim 8 wherein the connection is of pivotal character and a fulcrum supports the other jaw.

11. A holder as dened by claim 10 wherein one of the jaws includes an article support portion.

GEORGE J. KAMPHAUS.

REFERENCES CI'YIED The following references are of record in; the

file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Apr. 27, v194.0. 

